Feb. 8, 2008

Milwaukee - The Marquette University men's tennis team (5-2) remained undefeated in home matches this season after the squad posted a 6-1 non-conference victory over Xavier (2-4) Friday afternoon at the Helfaer Tennis & Recreation Center.

The Golden Eagles are now 5-0 at home on the year and have only dropped one point out of a possible 35 in the first five dual matches. MU continues its homestand Sunday morning against Georgetown.

"Xavier is a good team with a great deal of depth," head coach Steve Rodecap said. "The match was a lot closer than the final score indicates."

Marquette opened the match by claiming the hard-fought doubles point. After the two programs split decisions at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions, the deciding matchup came down to the top spot. MU's Brett Binkley and Mark Rutherford overcame a Musketeer match point to post a 9-8 victory over Chris Herrlinger and Doug Matthews.

The Golden Eagles used the momentum gained in doubles competition to claim five of the six singles matchups. Junior Stephen Shao was the first to finish after a quick 6-4, 6-3 victory and Binkley clinched the team victory with a 7-6, 7-5 decision at No. 6 singles. The Lenexa, Kan., native trailed 3-0 in the second set before rallying against Xavier's Brian Schubert.

"Stephen (Shao) played a complete match and his serve was key in getting him off the court quickly," Rodecap said. "Brett (Binkley) has played a lot off matches and won a lot as well. He continues to gain confidence." Also claiming singles wins for the Golden Eagles were Trent Hagan, Dusan Medan and Mark Rutherford.

Tennis Match Results
Xavier vs Marquette
Feb 08, 2008 at Milwaukee, WI
Marquette 6, Xavier 1
Singles competition:
1. Trent Hagan (MU) def. Doug Matthews (XU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
2. Dusan Medan (MU) def. Chris Herrlinger (XU) 6-4, 6-7, 6-4
3. Stephen Shao (MU) def. Ra'ees Ismail (XU) 6-4, 6-3
4. J.T. Torbeck (XU) def. Niko Boulieris (MU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
5. Mark Rutherford (MU) def. Brian Starr (XU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
6. Brett Binkley (MU) def. Brian Schubert (XU) 7-6, 7-5
Doubles competition:
1. Brett Binkley/Mark Rutherford (MU) def. Chris Herrlinger/Doug Matthews (XU) 9-8 (10-5)
2. J.T. Torbeck/Brian Starr (XU) def. Stephen Shao/Pete Van Lieshout (MU) 8-6
3. Trent Hagan/Dusan Medan (MU) def. Ra'ees Ismail/Anthony Palmenter (XU) 8-2
Match Notes:
Xavier 2-4
Marquette 5-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,5,6,4,1,2)